Of the 16 candidate genes, only the total expression levels of AKAP7, a gene encoding a protein kinase A (PKA)-binding scaffolding molecule known as A kinase anchoring protein 7 (AKAP7), were significantly associated with the development of post-stroke severe HARM after controlling for age, dyslipidemia, and rtPA (p = 0.025*, Odds ratio = 4.0, 95% confidence interval = 1.1–56.8, Fig. 2A). Here, AKAP7 is linked to metabolic syndrome.